No comments about Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story Of The Largest Covert Operation In History- Blackstone Exclusive [ABRIDGED].

5 comments about Going Solo.

1. Going Solo (the sequel to Boy) is a collection of Roald Dahl's most interesting stories of his time in Africa. These include: meeting a man you gives himself dandruff, teaching an African boy to read and write, seeing a lion attack a cook, learning to fly without a teacher, crashing in the African desert, leading a unit of R.A.F. soldiers to stop a caravan of German people from leaving Dar es Salaam, becoming temporarily blind, meeting the girl of his dreams then falling out of love when he sees her and living on a Greek airfield soon before he was grounded. Roald Dahl's style of writing changes each time slightly changes to fit the story. Basically, you get the idea that you have known Roald for years and he is just telling you an amusing story. Going Solo was not as interesting as some of his other fiction stories. For some readers it may not be interesting enough to keep you in the book; but it is not boring, thrills and adventure are always happening. To compare this to Boy would be a little difficult because even though they are the same writer, Boy is about his childhood and is for younger readers. Going Solo is probably for older readers. Even it you do not like one of the chapters the next will bring you back in. So if you want a lot of good anecdotes to read then or if you really liked Boy, you should pick up Going Solo.



2. 
   What an entertaining read this proves--not surprisingly--by the author of the children's classic, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Continuing the autobiographical expose of British boarding schools as revealed in BOY, Dahl opens this meant-for-adults book with a delightfully wacky view of his fellow Englishmen en route to work in Africa. Scornful of the repeated falls from stoic grace by so many of his predecessors, this young Empire Builder is at first shocked by the sight of so many decent chaps who have Gone Native--a result of prolonged absence from the UK and intense heat exposure. Can an idealistic youth rise above heat, humidity and British bravado to maintain his unflappable equanimity, or will he too succumb to the national trend?
   
   Most of this book, however, consists of Dahl's serious account of his contribution to the Allied air war in Africa's western desert, followed by a long recuperation from head trauma. Before he returns safely to England, he describes the deadly action in Greece where German planes far outnumbered the intrepid RAF pilots. Interspersed among the reports of the air war are his own b/w photos and letters (self-censored) to his beloved Norwegian mother in England. This account will easily capture the reader's interest as Dahl translates the global struggle by bringing it down to an intensely human level. With his treasured possessions--pilot's Log Book and his 2nd camera--we leave him when he is reunited safely with his mother. A fast read--well worth the effort even if you are not a war buff.



3. i must say, this book was incredibly hard to put down!
   
   having read the previous roald dahl biography "boy," i was eager to read this book. i wasn't disappointed at all. i was absolutely fascinated by the things that this man has gone through. i feel like a coward indeed after reading about roald dahl's trip to africa and his terrifying wartime experiences! it's magnetic!
   
   this book is written in a very straightforward style, and anyone and everyone should read it, i believe! there is a lot to be learned from this book. it shows the true insanity of war. people lose their minds in the kind of situations described in this book!
   
   it has a happy ending, though. this, you can look forward to!



4. I've always enjoyed Dahl's children's books, and so I was curious to see what he might write about his own life. To say that his early adult years were exciting might understate the matter a bit. This book opens with Dahl embarking on a ship for East Africa, to start his first job as a representative of the Shell Oil Company, and follows him through his career as a RAF fighter pilot in the Eastern Mediterranean theater during WWII. Many of his tales are so over the top that it would be tempting to believe that he has embelished the stories. But even if he did, the result is an thoroughly enjoyable read, full of adventure and the excitement of youth. We also get a glimpse of the last hurrah of the British Empire, the epic struggle of the second World War, and just the barest idea of the conditions he found in war torn England upon his return. Very entertaining.



5. If you see the classic Roald Dahl cover illustration you might think this is an appropriate book for young children. It's definitely a book for 6th or 7th grade and up. Scroll around and you'll find some excellent reviews written by teenagers. I just gave it to my dad who is a WWII buff--he loved it. Adults, particularly those interested in Africa and WWII, will enjoy it so don't think you're going to read a children's book. It's really a classic memoir. The great British actor, Derek Jacobi, has recorded a fantastic unabridged audio version (and a fine one of Dahl's "Boy")

5 comments about Standard Arabic: An Advanced Course (Cassette Set).

1. Simply stated -- A MUST HAVE! If you're a budding intermediate level student of Arabic, you must have this. I use this as a self study course to reinforce my reading foundations, vocabulary and current idomatic useage. I waited MONTHS for the tapes, but they are essential now that they are universally available.

   This book is useful for self study, group study or with a (preferably) educated native instructor/tutor. There is also a fine teacher's supplement.

   Overall this is a tremendous value. The soft cover and the tapes together are less than 50.00 and there is a mountain of challenging material.

   Not to mention a good deal of pragmatic reading in geography, culture and social studies. Each chapter is broken down into the same exercises from reading to classical texts to listening. The classical texts are dealt with deliberately, not haphazardly. The whole thing is, in fact, deliberate and well thought out.

   Shouldn't disappoint...




2. Just to add to the other reviews, this textbook (which I used at 3rd year undergraduate level at Durham) is useful also to the solo student struggling to advance his or her Arabic. Buy the cassettes too, as they're an integral part of the course. I also recommend strongly that the private student buy the Teacher's Handbook too if he has no teacher as this contains - amongst other things - suggested translations and transcriptions of passages on the cassettes.



3. This paticular purchase is not a course, but merely 2 tapes. It is a continuation of a complete set (introductory, intermediate, advanced). So if you actually want a course, you need to buy the introductory and intermediate course (actually just a bunch of ... tapes).



4. I bought this book after hearing the praise about it; I sold it a few days later. Despite the title, this book isn't much of a course at all. Most of it is just straight Arabic text for you to read, with no translations, so you don't even know if you're reading correctly. The book does a better job of teaching you (if you know Arabic) about the Middle East than it does teaching Arabic.



5. As a university level professor of Arabic, my profession is constantly on the lookout (or we should be) for textbooks that are relevant, user-friendly, well-constructed and that can serve as a springboard for further studies in Arabic. I recently acquired this textbook intending it for my personal use as a review and as a stimulus for classroom activities. I am very impressed with the overall subject matter content of the book and am really pleased with the size of the print type.
   
   I will caution the prospective buyer, however, that this is definitely not a "teach yourself" manual to be used on your own. Rather, an imaginative, competent speaker of the language who can serve as an instructor or guide is an absolute requisite. Even with advanced degrees in Arabic, I found some of the material at or just beyond my capabilities. Someone who is just starting out in Arabic (that is less than three years of study at the university level) may want to rely on a less comprehensive textbook.
   
   That said, I found the book just perfect for my purposes. The only drawback, however, is that the grammar and stylistics portions of each chapter refer back to examples from previous chapters. It would be helpful if these examples were in closer proximity to the actual texts referenced. These would save the learner the trouble of going back and re-reading these texts to find the examples cited. The lack of vocabulary listings and textual notes tends to compound this problem.
   
   Nonetheless, along with a good dictionary for those hard-to-remember terms, I would recommend this book only to those students with the proper preparation to tackle it.

No comments about Frank Sinatra, My Father: The Golden Years : In His Own Words.

No comments about The Aye-Aye and I.

2 comments about A Prophet With Honor: The Billy Graham Story.

1. If you buy only one book about Billy Graham, this should be it. Wonderfully written, it is an objective view by a writer who had full access to Graham and his staff, and full freedom to write the truth.



2. While this book ranks as the most comprehensive take on Graham's life and career, it suffers from two shortcomings. William Martin is rather too uncritical of his subject, and, like most other Graham biographers, he depends too heavily on Graham's memory. Graham has repeatedly proven to be an unreliable source concerning his own history as I documented in my own research for THE PRINCE OF WAR: BILLY GRAHAM'S CRUSADE FOR A WHOLLY CHRISTIAN EMPIRE (Brave Ulysses Books, 2007). Unlike Marshall Frady whose BILLY GRAHAM: A PARABLE OF AMERICAN RIGHTEOUSNESS (reissued by Simon & Schuster, 2006) reported out some of the preacher's less admirable endeavors, Martin participates in the general canonization of Graham.

1 comments about Hudson Taylor: The Man Who Believed God.

1. This book should be required reading for any and all future missionaries. Broomhall does the Christian world a great service by detailing Hudson Taylors successes as well as his trials. The most remarkable feature of this book is the faith of Hudson Taylor. In the midst of incredible adversity this man abandoned himself to Jesus and the promises of Scripture. He rested soley on the provision of God, letting no man know his need. Throughout the book, Taylor's adversities and God's deliverances are a source of encouragement and inspiration that will lift the spirits of any true believer to "cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you."

5 comments about Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out into the Real World.

1. Maria did have some excellent points. The majority of the book is just an autobiography, though, and I skimmed through those parts. My advice would be to stop by the book store and look at the table of contents and then the very end where she gives a list of some other things she wishes she knew, because they explain themselves. A lot of her things I already knew, and she points out that she's not trying to help us avoid those things, just let us know we're not alone. If the great, talented Maria could get through life, then we can too! That was sarcasm.



2. I bought Maria's book "What's Heaven" for my Granddaughter when her Grandmother (my mother) died 6 years ago. Now my Granddaughter will graduate from high school next year and Maria has followed her to college, with her last 2 books. Next I will buy my Granddaughter the Marlo Thomas books. As a Grandmother I believe it does take a Village. My Granddaughter will take 2 real good role models with her to college and now we have to set her free.



3. I am 56 and had I had this book to read in 1968 when I graduated high school I might have had the tools to do things a little better through my 20's and 30's. She gives you a rundown on what realistically to expect out of live, love, career and everything in between. I may have even been able to avoid my ex-husband!!!
   
   This is a must gift for any young person, maybe even younger than a high school graduate. It could actually put a kids expectations into the realm of reality without putting a damper on any of the joys of life. This is not a book that a conservative religious advocate would have to avoid. It contains simple comman sense about life and how it differs from what kids would often see on TV, movies, or any other media they would encounter. It doesn't tell you what belief system is best, just what life is most apt to hand you on any given day.
   
   It is easy reading and not very beefy, so even non-readers would benefit. They could use it as a reference book for a specific situation.
   
   Great Birthday or Graduation or Holiday gift and reasonable priced, too.



4. This book would make a wonderful graduation gift. I wish I would've read it back when I was eighteen-years-old. Although I purchased this book over three years ago, I still come back to it from time to time. She offers so much insight and wisdom, but she also humanizes herself as a woman and teaches her readers that even she has experienced self-doubt and has strived to reach 'perfection' (something she teaches you not to do). She writes about how important it is to start at the bottom because it's where you learn the most and gain character. I especially liked reading about her husband and children. She and her family are so much more normal than anyone would ever think.



5. This book talks about the problems and difficulties you face when you hit adulthood. It also tells you things that might help you get through it all.
   
   I liked this book for several reasons. I liked it because I thought it was very educating. Also because I believe this book can help people start preparing for their future. Ten Things I Wish I'd Known-Before I Went Out into the Real World is a book that I think can help people on their way and to understand the point or meaning of life.
   
   In the end it's a very good book altogether and I recommend it to anyone and everyone who has troubles with preparing their future

2 comments about No Finish Line: My Life As I See It (Nova Audio Books).

1. I'm not legally blind, but I could really understand it and identify with the struggles she endured in being different throughout most of her life. The writing style is so engaging and easy to read that it feels almost like conversation. Just when you have a question, the answer appears. Marla's dry wit is refreshing and intelligent. There is no pity party here!

   Marla has really struggled in life and sport. She continues to learn and perservere as a person and athlete and that is what makes a champion in life and on the track. I can't wait to see her medal in Athens at the next summer olympics. I'm a better person and athlete after reading her story.




2. One can never truly understand a piece of literature, much less an autobiography, without actually becoming that person. In this case, one may "understand" that Ms. Runyan had a painful and frustrating past, but since we are not that ones that experienced it, we do not truly understand. Being blind takes away from you just as much as it gives. You take on a completely unique perspective on life; you take nothing for granted, and take great pleasure in the small things that make life worth living. Ms. Runyan, you will win a gold medal in the Olympics.

5 comments about Dad, Dames, Demons, and a Dwarf: My Trip Down Freedom Road (Illinois).

1. first i have never listened to mancow- only catching him a few times on the fox news channel morning show.(far right news is always funny). I bought the book at a disount bookstore because the cover intrigued me as did the hunter thompson references. Not expecting much really- i was suprised at a pretty decent counterculture read. Overall- there are some funny stories random "weird facts" and some personal antidotes,rants, and some views on our "corporate culture". Mancow muller makes some valid points and really can write at times. I was suprised to find that a man who loves the kinks could also love the moody blues-thats funny. Still its no "gonzo"- muller borrows thompsons style but really does not come close to the brilliance of the classic fear and loathing which some have said this book approaches. In the end i would recommend this book to certain friends - regular folks cant relate- or just wont understand a view that doesnt believe in marriage- that america is not the land of the free- and that sex with prostitutes and weed could be legal and not frowned down upon.



2. Hey for all those Mancow haters out there, do you hate freedom? Because Mancow is one of the last peeps willing to stand up and say what has to be said. Do you want the government limiting your free speech? I won't listen to the millions of Mancow detractors, they don't get what he's trying to do. They should just keep their opinions to themselves. I would love it if the government would make them shut up or they'd take their homes, right? I love how Mancow has acknowledged that he's always been comfortable with his lifestyle. He doesn't let narrow-minded or bigoted people get him down. He realized who he was early in life and said hey, "I make no apologies for who I am. This is the US of A and I'm free to love anyone I want, regardless of race, creed, religion or gender." So I salute you Mr. Mancow. We need more people willing to take on the establishment regardless of their intelligence level, poor facial hair choices and darkly Freudian attachments to their dads. Thank you!



3. This work came off as a false collection of stories that do not mirror the voice of Muller at all. Perhaps it's a ghost written project designed to cash in on it's subject.



4. A lot of things have changed since this book was published including Mancow's views on life, politics and way he likes to portray/market himself (but not his age, sorry I had too). Newer listeners of Mancow's show, not familiar with his past will certainly find this a very interesting read and may even be shocked by some of things he does and talks about in it.
   
   I bought the book when it first came out (even got it signed by Mancow) and thoroughly enjoyed it, even if maybe it wasn't exactly what I expected at the time. I revisited it recently and still found it to be a good read. For the price it's selling for here I don't see why any Mancow listener who hasn't read wouldn't pick up a copy.



5. Mancow is a very engaging radio host and his book is written in the fast pace, with the energy he is known for. It started out interesting enough, but seemed to digress into the acid trip that is Mancow's mind. I eventually put the book down for good.